Despite his father's efforts, Scott refused to rest. He couldn't. They had come to the mainland because of his nightmares: what would plague him now one of them was coming true? John had left Tracy Island less than two hours after their conversation and Scott was adamant he was going to be awake to greet his little brother.

Their father might appear to disapprove of John leaving the island, but Scott knew it was a front. He could see the relief in the man's eyes and knew the same look was reflected in his own. John had a calm and logical way of looking at things; he would be a natural negotiator in their dealings with the police, unlikely to rile them up the way Scott had been. John would also have more direct access to the case by being here. If illegally hacking the police database was what it took to get a lead on Virgil, then their father wouldn't protest.

As soon as John confirmed he was on his way, a police escort had been organised. Scott offered no arguments, grateful that another younger brother wouldn't be traversing the city on his own. While Scott was certain Blag got what he was after when he had taken Virgil, he wasn't prepared to risk a brother on that assumption.

He ignored his father's hints that he should rest and instead studied the information John had sent over.

It only took another hour before his father finally crashed. As soon as Jeff stumbled into his room and onto the bed, Scott stopped what he was doing. He wasn't getting anywhere; watching the same CCTV clip four times in a row wasn't revealing anything new. His eyes burned with tiredness, but Scott refused to close them. He moved to the balcony, staring out into the city below.

Virgil was out there somewhere while Scott was stuck watching security footage. The urge to punch something grew stronger and Scott wasn't sure how much longer he could stay in the penthouse. He had wanted to go straight out to the hangar, but his father had pointed out the obvious flaw: how to explain they knew where to go? They also couldn't do this just the two of them and Scott had reluctantly agreed to wait for John. His brother had promised to monitor the hangar in case of movement, not to mention come up with a plausible explanation to get them there.

It wasn't just about Virgil anymore. There had still been no word from Matt and Scott knew there wouldn't be. Blag had known where to wait for Virgil: he would know where to ambush Matt. Scott hoped it meant the cops finally took them seriously about Blag now - both Virgil and Matt disappearing on the day he broke out was a connection that couldn't be ignored. John said he would pass on an anonymous tip but Scott was beginning to understand the police process: examining everything from every plausible angle before reacting. They would be too slow.

Slamming his hands against the railings, Scott turned and went back inside. He paused, then moved to Virgil's room. It hurt pushing open the door, knowing his brother wouldn't be sprawled across the bed, dead to the world and unwilling to wake for anything before morning. Still, Scott made himself enter and winced when he saw the mess. It wasn't even Virgil's mess, but the police. It had been painful watching them methodically searching Virgil's room, as if expecting to uncover a vital clue. Matt had forcibly removed Scott from the room when someone had suggested it was a publicity stunt.

"Where are you?" Scott whispered, leaning against the doorframe and staring despondently into the room. A faint golden hue washed over the walls and Scott knew dawn had arrived. He hoped a new day would mean answers, a clue, anything to lead him to Virgil.

His phone suddenly vibrated in his pocket, starting Scott from his thoughts. Scott quickly connected, not wanting it to wake his father. But some of the tension had fled as soon as he saw the caller ID.

"John?"

"We're on our way up."

"Dad's asleep," Scott replied, hearing the unspoken question in John's voice about why he was talking so quietly. They exchanged a few more words before hanging up and Scott assumed by the `we` that John was still with his escort. Scott left Virgil's room and unlocked the main door. John appeared at the end of the corridor and Scott stared. John wasn't alone, but it wasn't the cops with him.

It was Gordon.

Scott stepped out, making sure the door was on the latch and moving towards his brothers. John reached out and clasped his arm as soon as he was in reach, a wordless offer of comfort, reassurance and shared anguish, but Scott barely noticed.

"What are you doing here?"

"You think I was going to stay at home and just sit there, waiting for something to happen?" Gordon glared at him, his expression challenging.

"Gordon, it's…"

"Don't you dare say dangerous. You think I don't know that? He's my brother too, Scott. I'm staying, unless you would rather I headed back across town on my own?"

It was a low blow and judging by the look in Gordon's eyes, he knew it. But it was obvious he had no intention of backing down and Scott sighed. Reaching out, he cuffed Gordon over the head and led the way back into the apartment. He gestured for the brothers to enter his room, shutting the door behind them so they didn't disturb their father. John put down an armful of bags that Scott hadn't noticed.

"Has there been any word?" John asked quietly and Scott shook his head.

"Something else happened though," he said. The ashen complexions of his brothers revealed they couldn't take much more of this. They obviously hadn't slept either and Scott wished he could say something that would help. But there was only one person who could make the situation better right now, and it wasn't Scott.

"Matt never made it home."

Gordon swore, leaving the room. Through the window, the remaining brothers saw him step out onto the balcony. Scott watched in silence, noting the tension running through Gordon's body. It was unlike his brother not to vocalise how he was feeling.

"He's not coping with this, is he?"

John shook his head. "He remembers enough to know how much danger Virg is in. But not the details; his mind is filling in the blanks for him. You know what Gordon's imagination is like."

"Reality is bad enough," Scott muttered. A shudder ran through him just thinking about it. John grimaced, but said nothing. Scott knew why though; there was nothing to say that could make this any better.

John reached for his bags. As John started setting up, Scott realised he couldn't see an item of clothing amongst all the bags. They were full of wires and monitors. He could only watch as John slid to the floor, surrounding himself with technology and turning on his laptop. He looked up, an eyebrow raised at Scott's expression.

"I'd explain, but you look ready to drop. Go and get some sleep, Scott. Gords and I can take it from here. I'll wake you if anything moves."

Scott knew John was right, but he couldn't bring himself to go. He knew John was watching him the way he had been watching Gordon, and that his body language betrayed him just as Gordon's had.

"If I find something," John said slowly, "what will you do?"

"Get our brother back!"

"How are you going to do that when you are falling asleep? C'mon, Scott, you know Virg will kick your ass if he finds you haven't been looking after yourself."

Scott winced, knowing no matter how he argued, John would have a logical answer. Scott looked out at Gordon again.

"Scott," John said, "I'll deal with Gordon. We're going to find Virgil, and Matt, and bring them home. Then I'm going to dump you in it for not getting enough rest and sit back and watch the show as Virgil flips at you. Don't give me any more leverage."

Scott didn't want to go; he wanted to be doing something. He also knew John was right and his building headache wouldn't help matters. He stumbled from the room and stopped. There were only three rooms. His father was in one, his brothers in another. There was no way Scott was taking Virgil's room.

He crashed onto the sofa, kicking off his shoes. His body relaxed, the tension ebbing away as Scott gave into his exhaustion. Within a few moments, he was asleep.

The sun had fully risen when the nightmares jolted him awake again. The visions had left him trembling but Scott couldn't deny his head felt clearer. He sat up, glancing towards his father's room. The door was shut and Scott hoped he was still resting. The man had looked drawn and weary before he had finally crashed and Scott wanted to spare his brothers that sight.

He pushed open the door to his room. John and Gordon were both sitting on the floor. Scott was struck with how similar the two of them looked. Normally, Scott could only see the differences between his calmest and most energetic brothers. But looking at them now, he was reminded of how much Gordon had idolised John when he was young and it seemed a few traits had rubbed off. It was obvious that – unlike Scott – Gordon was actually helping John.

Not wanting to interrupt them, Scott moved to the kitchen, not returning until he had three mugs of coffee. The movement distracted Gordon and he stretched out with a groan, gratefully taking the offered drink. Gordon nudged John, making him look up. Scott handed over John's mug and perched on the edge of the bed, cradling his own.

"How're you going to explain this when the cops arrive?"

"I'll find a way," John muttered distractedly. Scott felt a stab of guilt; John looked exhausted.

"Have you-,"

"Found anything? No. There's been no movement at the hangar. I don't know if there is no one there, it's completely unrelated or that…"

"They are still there," Scott finished quietly, staring at the screens in front of him. He didn't think Blag would be sloppy. But the man didn't know who he was dealing with, not this time around. He wouldn't have bet on the technology they had at their disposal.

"It's a long shot."

"Who cares?" Gordon sat up straighter, eyes glinting despite his tiredness. Scott knew Gordon had figured out that he intended to check out that hangar without waiting for the cops to believe their story. He also knew it wouldn't matter if he forbade Gordon from coming. Gordon wanted to help and Scott couldn't fault his brother for that. He also knew he couldn't do this alone. He was used to having Virgil by his side in dangerous situations, but with Virgil missing, Scott knew Gordon would watch his back.

"Wait a minute." John also straightened, staring between the two of them. "Are you thinking what I think you're thinking?"

"That we go to this hangar and find out if our brother is there? Yes." Scott drained his mug as he spoke, his remaining tiredness fleeing in the face of a plan of action.

He wasn't going to sit here any longer and wait for other people to try and find his brother. Virgil was his best friend as much as his sibling and Scott fully intended to get his brother back. If that meant planning a raid on a location that could be a dead-end, then it beat sitting around doing nothing.

One look at his brothers' faces and Scott knew he wouldn't be going alone.

Scott slipped off the bed and onto the floor, ordering John to tell him everything he knew. While their father slept, three Tracy brothers started scheming about how they were going to get the fourth back.

TBTBTB

The hot trickle of blood running down his wrist made Virgil groan. He had been struggling against the cuffs for hours. Deep down, he knew it was pointless and he wasn't going to break free. But he had to do something. He had to escape, not just for his own sake, but for Scott and Matt as well.

Matt had been bound and unconscious in the image Blag had shown him. Virgil wondered if he was being moved the same way Virgil had been, even being brought to the same place. It gave him hope. It would also mean more people would be searching; Virgil was certain that John would already be searching for him and would be on the lookout for unexplained movements. Transporting Matt would count as such a thing.

Virgil didn't want to admit it would also mean he didn't have to do this alone.

But them being together added to the danger. Scott wouldn't be able to call Blag's bluff if the man could prove in one action he had them both. Normally, Virgil could predict Scott's reactions, probably better than the man himself. This time, however, there was an element present that Virgil wasn't used to dealing with from his big brother.

Fear.

It didn't matter that Scott tried to hide it or said he was fine. Virgil knew he would be terrified. He had to get out of here before he was responsible for his brother coming face to face with his nightmare. Scott had always looked out for him, and Blag's words about it being his fault struck a chord deep in Virgil that he thought he had dealt with years ago. If he had been quicker that day, if he hadn't been so forgetful, then none of this would have happened.

Virgil shook his head. He refused to think like that. He had spoken to someone, he had dealt with these thoughts years ago. He would be doing Blag's work for him if he let his mind be clouded by doubt. He had to focus on getting out and getting home; everything else was irrelevant right now.

There were no windows in the room. Virgil had no idea how long he had been missing for. He was starving, though. When was the last time he had eaten? When was the last time he had done anything other than be manhandled and used against his family?

Suddenly furious, Virgil wrenched against his bindings, desperate to be free. It would have been easier if he could get some leverage behind his struggles but, with his feet also tied, he was stuck.-

He only stopped, panting, when the chair threatened to topple. He would not degrade himself by being stuck on the ground, especially when he knew that Blag would make the most of it. He hadn't seen or heard anything since Blag had left, but Virgil knew Blag wouldn't have left him unguarded. His previous escape from the containers showed that being bound was not enough of a deterrent to stop Virgil escaping.

For once, Virgil wouldn't mind someone thinking less of him. He gave one last futile tug and stopped. Hurting himself wasn't going to help. Neither would spending his energy to no avail, especially considering his efforts had left him feeling dizzy and feeling the lack of food even more.

Instead, Virgil tried to think about what his brothers would do. Scott would just glare and everyone would fall over themselves to untie him. John would have a smart answer on the tip of his tongue and would make a run for it while his captors tried to figure out what he had said. Gordon would no doubt annoy them all so much they would decide that he wasn't worth the effort and Alan… Virgil stopped there. It was bad enough considering how the others would react, but he refused to think about his youngest brother being in this sort of trouble. Not only because they had always tried to look out for him, but because Alan didn't remember the horrors Blag had inflicted on their family the first time around.

Virgil envied him.

Memories of their first encounter with the mad-man were bad enough. Virgil was not relishing the chance to make new ones.

A key turning in the lock made Virgil crane around as best he could. He didn't say anything though; he didn't want his voice to betray him. Blag entered with two of his men. They were wheeling something on a trolley and Virgil frowned when it came into view. It was a vid-screen, similar to the ones they had on the island, just without the added technology Virgil was used to.

"I hope you're sitting comfortably."

"Where's Matt? What have you done with him?" Virgil refused to be baited by Blag's mocking manner. He ignored the screen, knowing Blag wanted him to ask about it. Virgil refused to give the man what he wanted and focused on Matt instead.

Blag's smile faltered for a second and he sneered. "You'll find out soon enough."

"Tell me."

"You're in no position to make demands." Blag breathed heavily for a moment, his expression thunderous. "I preferred you as the whiny brat you were. Your friend is on his way here. Happy now?"

Virgil inwardly sighed in relief. It increased their chances of being found if they were together. But it also meant that Blag couldn't keep him in suspense over what was happening to his friend.

He didn't see Blag move until his head snapped to one side, his lip bleeding from the force of the man's blow.

"I asked you a question."

Glaring, Virgil still refused to answer. Blag raised his hand again but then caught himself. Shaking his head, he relaxed. Virgil suppressed a shudder; a calm Blag scared him more than a violent one. But the reaction had given him something to work with. Blag could be riled up and goaded and he was more likely to make mistakes if he was angry. Having four brothers meant Virgil was well-practised in the art of winding someone up until they snapped.

He stayed quiet for now though, knowing that unless he bide his time, he was more likely to get himself killed than he was to escape.

"You'll get what is coming to you soon enough." Blag gestured to his men and they started fiddling around with the screen. He turned his attention back to Virgil. "We should catch up. You've grown up since I've been away, after all."

Virgil stayed quiet but Blag just chuckled.

"I definitely remember you more talkative than this. Or maybe you just screamed and cried more. Which do you think?"

"What do you want from me, Blag?" Virgil asked quietly, suddenly realising how tired he felt. He felt as if he had been a captive for weeks now, even though he knew it could have only been a matter of days. But he was tired of the threats and the fear, of being bound and helpless in the face of danger. He was used to running headfirst into danger, much to Scott's exasperation. He wasn't used to being stuck in the centre of it.

"Nothing. You're just the bait."

"He'll know it is a trap." Virgil tried to sound confident, as if none of this bothered him. He wasn't sure it was working.

"Yet he will come anyway," Blag said. "Don't you see how perfect it all is? Of course he will know it's a trap. But you're his weakness; you always have been. He took your place all those years ago and he is going to take your place now as well."

"I wouldn't be so sure. He's more likely to take you down," Virgil muttered. His heart was pounding as his gaze involuntarily drifted back to the screen. He didn't know what Blag was planning, but he knew it would mean nothing good for his family when the screen activated.

But Virgil's luck had been left back in New York. As soon as he looked over, the men straightened up.

"It's all set."

"And the other end as well?" Blag looked excited and Virgil swallowed nervously. The men both nodded, confirming whatever they were doing was set and ready to go before they left the room, sneering at Virgil on the way out.

"You're no doubt wondering what this is all about?" Blag began conversationally, switching on the screen as he did so. Virgil frowned when he found himself looking at what appeared to be an empty airplane hangar.

"You've been here, believe it or not. You were conveniently unconscious at the time though. You Tracys always follow each other around. Your brothers will follow, I'll make sure of that. All Scott needs is a faint whisper of your whereabouts and he'll come running." Blag leant closer, his face lighting up in sadistic delight.

"There will be a welcome message from me that's, well… explosive I think is the best term for it."

Virgil felt sick. It didn't matter that he tried to keep his expression neutral, he knew the horror was visible in his eyes. Blag laughed.

"You're insane," Virgil whispered, staring at him. "You'll kill them!"

"Maybe, maybe not." Blag shrugged, completely unconcerned.

"Why go to all of this trouble if you are just going to kill them?"

"Don't you see, Virgil? Scott should have died all those years ago. If the explosion kills him, then this will be over and I'll let you go."

"And if it doesn't?"

"You'll be wishing it had." Blag's voice was deadly quiet and Virgil shivered before he could stop himself. He knew Blag was mad. Only now, however, was he appreciating that the man was more dangerous than ever.

"You'll never get away with it," Virgil muttered, tugging at his bonds again. "I've already got people looking for me."

His father had agents all over the world. The Tracys themselves had dealt with Blag before and knew what they were up against. They had all the technology International Rescue could offer at their disposal. Blag had just made it personal for the cops as well by taking Matt. Virgil had no idea how the man thought he could get away with this.

"Maybe. But I have contacts of my own. Favours to be called in and deals to make. Happy viewing."

Blag patted the top of the screen and strode from the room, whistling as he did so. Virgil waited until he heard the key turn in the lock before rolling his neck, trying to breathe calmly and settle his pounding heart.

He had to find some way of warning his brothers off the hangar before it was too late! Blag was wrong when he said that it might take them a few days to track the place down. John probably already knew and would have told Scott. His brother was most likely on his way already.

Scott was walking straight into a trap and there was nothing Virgil could do about it.